I Am a Muslim and I Am an Indian — Why Do I Have to Choose Between the Two?


I Am a Muslim and I Am an Indian — Why Do I Have to Choose Between the Two?

They went to Kashmir for peace. For fresh memories, beautiful skies, and maybe some moments away from the rush of life. But what returned wasn’t joy. It was silence, fear, and blood. That attack wasn’t just on a group of people — it was on humanity.

When I first heard about the tragic attack in Kashmir, my heart shattered. Innocent lives were lost people who had no part in the violence. They were simply victims of something bigger, something cruel. As an Indian, I felt the pain deeply.

But what followed next hit me in a way I wasn’t prepared for.
Within hours, I saw posts on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms not condemning the violence, but blaming Muslims. Suddenly, I was faced with accusations I never imagined I would face from people I considered friends, people I’ve shared meals with, laughed with, and lived with.

The same friends I once shared a meal with are now blaming my religion. I’m not saying their anger is wrong. I understand their pain and frustration. The loss is huge, and I feel it too. But is it right to direct that anger at a whole community? Is it fair to use the actions of a few criminals to judge an entire group of people who had nothing to do with it?

This is not the way.
It hurts deeply to see memes and posts mocking my religion. To see people I know, people I’ve shared my life with, now targeting me. But violence, hate, and blame will never bring peace. Instead of building walls, we should be building bridges. This isn't funny. People have lost their loved ones. Families are broken. And yet, all we see are jokes, memes, and hate  as if that’s the only way to cope with our pain.

Some even went further. They said what’s happening in Palestine is justified. They said Muslims deserve it.
Some told me, “You people are responsible for this.”
Some posted memes that they thought were funny but they weren’t. Not when people have died.
And no, I didn’t deactivate my social media. I just didn’t want to see all that hate anymore.

Let’s remember something. Terrorism has no religion. No religion teaches you to kill innocent people. Not Islam, not Christianity, not any faith. The true message of every religion is peace, love, and humanity. Yet, we find ourselves in a situation where people are being judged not by their actions, but by their religion.
And then, we wonder why the world is in chaos.

As Muslims, we too have suffered. I am a Muslim, born and raised in India. I love my country, and I am proud to be Indian. Yet, every time something like this happens, I am forced to prove that I am loyal to my own country. I shouldn’t have to do that. I should not be made to feel like I am part of the problem simply because of my faith.

But we also need to ask ourselves How are we going to heal?
Instead of blaming each other, shouldn’t we be asking our government, our leaders, the real questions? What are they doing to stop the violence? What are they doing to protect innocent lives no matter their faith or background? The anger on social media will fade, but the real question remains: what is being done to prevent this from happening again?

And as for the anger, I know it will fade too. People will forget. They will move on to the next issue, the next outrage. But, in the process, we cannot forget the pain that was caused. We cannot forget that blaming each other does not solve anything.

Instead, let’s turn to unity, to understanding. Let’s heal, together.
In the Qur’an, it is clearly stated:
“If anyone kills a person unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land it is as if he had slain all mankind; and if anyone saves a life, it is as if he had saved all mankind.”
Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:32)

This verse shows us that every innocent life matters, and killing or hurting one person is as if we’re hurting the entire world. We are all connected. Our fates are tied. And as long as we keep blaming each other, we will never find peace.
Before you post that meme, before you share that blame, ask yourself: Is this the way forward? Or is there a better way a way that brings us together rather than tearing us apart? before you post, comment, or forward something, just think:
Are you helping?
Or are you hurting someone who’s just as heartbroken as you?

When tragedy strikes, we need to stand together, not push each other away. We’re all in this. Together.

- Mehfuza sultana 


Poem-

I cried too, just like you,
I felt the pain, the heartbreak too.
But when you looked for someone to blame,
Why was it me? Why my name?

We once shared laughter, food, and time,
Now you treat my faith like it’s a crime.
I was born here, I stand with pride,
But now I feel pushed aside.

No religion tells us to kill,
No true faith supports such will.
Terror has no god, no face,
It only spreads hate in every place.

Your anger is real, I understand,
But please don’t point with a shaking hand.
Let’s not fight, let’s try to see,
You’re hurt, I’m hurt — but I’m not the enemy.
-Mehfuza sultana 


 

Comments

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